Faculty and Staff Administration

Amy Barrett

Amy Barrett (She/Her) – Bookkeeper

I have been at Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children (NWSDHH) since 2018 when I began working for Rising Sun Accounting. My husband and I moved from Texas after graduating from Texas A&M.  I spent 20 years working for a national security company leaving in the role of regional manager. From 2007-2019 I helped establish and volunteered at a weekly feeding program in Ballard, focused on providing a safe place for the homeless and needy in the community. I love being part of such an inclusive and supportive team as NWSDHH. It is my privilege to be part of this extraordinary community and to do my part in advancing the mission of the school.  When I am not working with non-profits such as the NWSDHH, I enjoying traveling with my family, cooking, and gardening.

A.J. Blaisdell

Alfred “A.J” Blaisdell (He/Him/His, Mr.) – Director of Educational Programming

I am so proud to be a part of the Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children team! I believe strongly in our school’s mission and look forward to continuing NWSDHH’s long history of providing exceptional educational experiences to students in the greater Seattle community. I began my career as a special education teacher in Massachusetts before moving to Washington and pursuing roles in educational leadership. In my free time, I enjoy reading and exploring the outdoors. 

Sign name: “B” to an “L” like “lightning”

Bahi’chi Castañeda

Bahi’chi Castañeda (He/Him, Mr.) – School Office Assistant

I joined NWSDHH during Summer 2023, and I feel lucky to be working somewhere that aligns so closely with my own values and with the support of such an incredible team of people.

I attended an interdisciplinary liberal arts college in Olympia and studied education with the goal of one day getting my credentials and teaching middle school-aged students. I was (and still am) particularly interested in literacy and creative nonfiction writing as tools for educational accessibility, empowerment, and self-advocacy. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work my administrative magic and make teachers’ lives easier here at NWSDHH.

In my free time, I enjoy frequenting coffee and thrift shops, writing experimental creative nonfiction poetry and short stories, and spending time with my partner and our two cats.

Sign name: “C” like “cat” or “smile”

EC Caucci

EC Caucci (They/Them, Mx.) – Special Education Compliance Manager

EC Caucci (they/them) is a Sonoran Desert native that taught their way up the coast and landed in Seattle! EC has been working with students, educators, and leaders in inclusionary educational environments for over 15 years.  They enjoy working to help students, teachers, and families get the supports that they need through knowledge of Special Education law, compliance, equity and advocacy. In their spare time, you can find them hanging out in a hammock, listening to BTS, or reading voraciously. 

Jim Collier

Jim Collier (He/Him/His, Mr.) – Facilities Manager

Montana born, Navy vet, and Northwest resident. I have over 20 years in the construction and facilities management fields. I have worked for construction companies as a project manager and estimator. Most recently I was facilities manager for a large multi-campus religious organization.

I am thrilled to be able to support in a small way the goals and mission of Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

When not working, I enjoy woodworking and wildlife photography. My wife and I have 2 cats and a rescued greyhound.

Sign name: “C” like “fix”

Samuel Dahlin

Samuel Dahlin (He/Him/His) – Accountant

Idalis Herrera

Idalis Herrera (She/Her, Ms.) – Executive Assistant

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in New Jersey. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to work with children but I didn’t know in what way. In 2016, I committed to Montclair State University and at the time I had no clue what I wanted to major in, so I was undeclared. After attending MSU for 1 year, I realized I still didn’t have a clear understanding of what my true purpose was in life so I decided to take a year off from school to try new things and figure my life out. What was supposed to be one gap year– turned into four. During those 4 years I worked different jobs and held various positions. I also took a significant amount of time to research different careers involving children. I am happy to share that in 2020, I re-enrolled in college initially as a Psychology major and have since transitioned into a Biology major. I am working towards becoming a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Though my educational path turned out completely different from what I imagined it to be while in high school, I now have a clearer understanding of who I want to be and how I want to help children. 

While enrolled in distance-learning classes, I started looking for jobs in the Seattle area due to having to relocate for my significant other’s career. I have been working at NWSDHH as an Administrative and Executive Assistant for one year and it has been the most rewarding experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to work for a school whose mission and values align with my own. I am confident that working at NWSDHH and in this type of environment will be beneficial to my future career goals.

During my free time I enjoy going on walks with my two year old American Staffordshire Terrier, working out, cooking, trying new restaurants, attending my significant other’s football practices and games, and visiting friends and family.

Other languages: Spanish

James E. Kilpatrick, Jr., Ph.D.

James E. Kilpatrick, Jr., Ph.D. (He/Him/His) – Dean of Deaf Studies

I was the Department Chair and Full Professor of Spanish and Teacher Education at Missouri Southern State University and the Supervisor of Medical Interpreter Interns and student teachers of foreign languages at the University for some 16 years. I am currently a Spanish Instructor at Olathe West High School in the greater Kansas City area. I am also an Adjunct Professor of Sign Language at Minot State University in North Dakota. I worked 8 years as a Tri-lingual Video Relay interpreter of Spanish/ASL/English with Sorenson Video Relay Service, and I continue to be an ASL/English Sign Language interpreter for Sorenson. I am currently a national Instructor/Trainer of Signing Exact English with the S.E.E. (Signing Exact English) Center of California and have worked as an educational sign language interpreter from pre-school level to graduate school for over 20 years. I hold multiple Sign Language certifications, including Advanced Level certification in ASL & PSE/CASE, certification at the Mastery Level in S.E.E., and Spanish certification with the International Berlitz scale at the Mastery Level “C2.” In my role as Dean of Deaf Studies for Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children, my efforts focus on enhancing relationships between the school, the Deaf Community and other agencies working for deaf children and their families. Additionally, I lead the school’s EIPA Success! Program, which is aimed at ensuring exceptional competence of S.E.E. sign interpreters by integrating our American Sign Language skillsets within our S.E.E. signs at our school and around the region. My wife Christy and I are raising triplets in the Kansas City Metro area.

Sign name: “K” like “enter”

Other languages: American Sign Language, Spanish

Noelle Nicholas

Noelle Nicholas (She/Her, Mrs.) – Project Manager

I recently moved back to the area after living in Virginia for 21 years. Seattle is home to me, and where most of my family lives. I started my job at Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children in 2019 and am delighted to be part of this amazing school.

My interest in signing began when I took ASL as my language requirement in college, then continued ASL classes at Gallaudet University, and went on to teach Mommy and Me classes to children aged 6 months to 2 years.  I am taking S.E.E. classes as I continue my learning.  I earned a B.A. Degree in Social Work and have worn many hats throughout the years, working with troubled teenagers, adults with intellectual disabilities, college and elementary students. I love being anywhere near the water, almost any outdoor activity, west coast swing dancing, and spending time with kids.

Sign name: “N” like “heart”

Sara Reyerson

Sara Reyerson (She/Her, Ms.) – Chief Operating Officer

I am so grateful for this work and mission that I love! I joined the team here in 2016. I hail from the midwest and was raised with a love of the land and those community members who call it home. I was fortunate to live in wide open spaces with incredible sunsets, horses alongside me and education in my blood. Both my parents were educators. My career has been devoted to serving missions that create opportunity for women, children and families in my community. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminology from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and I am a graduate of Bridge Builders, a leadership program of Women’s Funding Network, and Course in Exponential Fundraising with Harvard Kennedy School.  Here at our school, I lead our fund development, communications and internal operations. While I am not at work, I love to be auntie Sara, cook simple things, travel near and far, go for long walks, and share fireside chats with good friends. I am a proud board member with The IF Project and advisory committee member with Girls on the Run of Puget Sound.

Sign name: “R” taps dimple

Yoshiko Saheki

Yoshiko Saheki (She/Her, Ms.) – Annual Giving Manager

I’m delighted to be working in this special community and to be part of the future of Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children. As a career fundraiser, I have always worked at institutions with an educational mission because education is part of my core values. Learning is joyful and it’s a pleasure to be able to see children in this supportive environment. Their desire to learn and the dedication of the  instructional staff here are truly inspirational!

In my non-working hours, for many years, I’ve pursued environmental restoration projects and received training as a master native plant steward. I also love public libraries and hold library cards in three different library systems. I feel fortunate to be able to reside and work in the same city.

Sign name: “S” taps heart

Andrea Vanni

Andrea Vanni (She/Her, Ms. or Mrs.) – Communications Manager

I’m a lifelong lover of words and language! I have a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a Master’s of Communication in Digital Media, both from the University of Washington. My background is mainly in non-profit and tourism/travel marketing, reflecting my commitment to both philanthropy and travel. I’ve lived abroad twice (in Italy and South Korea), and my experiences in those countries learning new languages and navigating unfamiliar territories has given me a greater empathy for our students as they learn and acquire language. I enjoy using my years of marketing and communications experience to support NWSDHH and the good work that is being done here!

In my free time, you’ll find me with my husband and our two young children exploring the world around us or enjoying our time at home with our cat and two pups!

Sign name: “V” like “tall”